PhD projects in a new approach for nuclear fusion reactions

Description:

Nuclear capture reactions, which form all the chemical elements, occur at extremely low energies. Hence, they are hard to study experimentally due to Coulomb repulsion, and so theoretical studies must calculate their properties. These reactions may involve compound resonances stemming from a delicate interplay of many quantum states in the colliding bodies. The multi-channel algebraic scattering (MCAS) method is a theory that addresses both of these challenges; it has a history of successfully modelling narrow compound resonance structures, incorporating as many channels as are important for a given problem, but is also proven in recreating the low-energy, non-resonant elastic scattering cross sections needed for these astrophysics problems. MCAS also models the structure of nuclei far from stability, the types of exotic nuclei that don’t exist in nature but may be created in leading laboratories. Students will gain deep insight into quantum theory, develop skills in computational problem solving, and have opportunities to work with leading scientists around the world.  

Ideal candidates will have an undergraduate degree in any area of physics, with a strong background in applied mathematics. Coding experience and research training are assets. The successful applicant would need to meet the Australian Government H1E standards and UNSW entry standards.